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WWE Backlash Predictions: Let’s Crown New Champs!

Who’s ready for some Backlash action? Before you head out to see your favorite WWE Superstars at the Mall of Asia Arena, how about we discuss the upcoming SmackDown PPV—the return of Backlash. I’m your guy, Ricky, the official Blue Brand ambassador of Smark Henry, and these are my Backlash predictions. Let’s see if I can get one right come Sunday.

WWE World Championship Match

AJ Styles vs Dean Ambrose (c)

AJ Styles will get another chance to capture the WWE World Championship when he faces Dean Ambrose on Sunday. The storyline didn’t really get a chance to flourish because of the lack of time, but this is still an interesting match-up. Both men have questionable roles as of late. Ambrose has been acting like a jerk especially during his rivalry with Dolph Ziggler, while AJ Styles has been struggling to convince everyone he is a bad guy. Who do you root for: the champ who’s been acting like a dick or the contender trying his hardest to be a dick?Who’s walking out with the big gold? This is a tough call, but I’ll have to say AJ Styles will win the WWE World Championship. AJ Styles has been riding a huge amount of momentum ever since he defeated John Cena at SummerSlam. It would be a shame if they would just feed the Phenomenal One to the Lunatic One. Also, this will be a wake up call for Ambrose. He can either correct his attitude or let the lunatic inside him take over.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match

Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz (c)

If only Daniel Bryan could still wrestle, this match would be very different. Unfortunately, we’ll have to settle for a healthy and angry Dolph Ziggler. I don’t really mind, it just felt like a random match-up and Dolph Ziggler didn’t really do anything to earn the opportunity other than being Bryan’s proxy. Give The Miz and Dolph Ziggler enough time and they could make this storyline bigger and more personal than it already is. Knowing both men, I’m sure they will deliver one hell of a match.Who will win and who will chicken out? The Miz will obviously retain the Intercontinental title and Dolph Ziggler must lose. Ziggler has to keep losing big matches until he snaps and turns heel. They can keep this rivalry going as long as they want; they just have to exploit Ziggler’s frustrations and The Miz’s shoot-style promos will be the cherry on top.

Now it’s time to crown some new champions! The first belt on the line is the SmackDown Women’s Championship and it will be contested in a 6-Pack Elimination Challenge featuring the women of SmackDown. I love elimination matches and I’m excited to see how this match will unfold. The build to this match was kind of messy since all women were crammed into tag matches and awkward promos. I really hope that after Sunday, we’ll get proper character development from each Blue Brand woman.Who will be the first Blue Women’s Champ? Becky Lynch, duh. The first female draft pick of SmackDown should definitely be the first Women’s Champion. We can also say Nikki Bella will win, but I’m sure she has Carmella to worry about. Let the Lass Kicker officially headline the women’s division of Tuesday nights. Nattie could continue babysitting Alexa Bliss or something.

SmackDown Tag Championship Tournament Finals

Heath Slater and Rhyno vs the winner of Usos-Hype Bros match

The second title that’s up for grabs come Sunday are the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Slayno sits pretty in their finals spot while American Alpha won’t make it after the Usos broke Chad Gable’s leg on this week’s SmackDown Live. Now that the favorite team is out, the winner of the tournament is anybody’s best guess. Is Heath Slater one match away from finally becoming a SmackDown Superstar?Who will be the first Piso Tag Champs? Here’s a bold prediction: The Usos will be the first SmackDown Tag Team Champions. I know, I know, you’re rooting for Heath Slater and I’m all in for that. I just think it’s more logical for the heel tag team to win and have the returning Alphas chase the gold for months. Sorry, Slater’s kids.Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt

As the only grudge match on the card, Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt needs to steal the show from the title-centric card. Luckily, this rivalry optimized the limited time they have by having them cut well-scripted promos against each other. It would be their first encounter as far as I can remember and I’m curious how they will proceed in beating each other up. As for the winner, I have a clear answer in mind.Who will triumph on 9/11? Bray Wyatt must win this match. Please. Put Wyatt over because he can become a goddamn megastar. All he needs right now is one credible win from a certain established individual. I’m a little scared they will give the victory to Orton to recover from his loss against Brock Lesnar, but man, just give Bray Wyatt a chance.Well, there you have it. Backlash has a good card and I won’t miss this inaugural SmackDown PPV. Do you agree or disagree? Are you excited about the New Day coming to Manila? I can’t wait to shake my booty. Let me know down at the comments.Photos from WWE.com

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Ricky Jay Publico is a wrestling fan who enjoys watching high flyers and brawlers battle it out in the ring. A known Botchamania binge-watcher, he claims to have memorized the chronological order of Royal Rumble winners, but fails to remember who won in 2004. He writes stories about life and nonsense.